Mendel, BP Biofuels plan field trials for new miscanthus variety

Mendel Biotechnology and BP Biofuels have signed a four-year deal to conduct field trials for a new miscanthus variety that was developed specially for biomass production. Mendel's PowerCane Miscanthus -the first miscanthus products specifically developed for biomass production that can be planted as a seed- will be grown on 100 acres at a BP facility in Jennings, La., this year, with the first biomass harvest due in 2013.